Starters sometimes do that, especially if on a stir plate. One way to check is to put some sanitized cling wrap over the opening and secure with a rubber band. Give it a swirl and watch for the wrap to begin to bulge.

I tried the plastic wrap test and it shows no sign of fermentation, so looks like I'll be starting over with the yeast starter. Also I realized I might not have prepared my starter properly. I used only one packet of Wyeast instead of two packets for OG >1080.

This is the kind of stuff I need to get straight before moving to all-grain.

I tried the plastic wrap test and it shows no sign of fermentation, so looks like I'll be starting over with the yeast starter. Also I realized I might not have prepared my starter properly. I used only one packet of Wyeast instead of two packets for OG >1080.

This is the kind of stuff I need to get straight before moving to all-grain.

#rookiemistakenotenoughresearch

One packet in the starter should have at least done something. What gravity was your starter wort?

For something as uber-high gravity as a barleywine, I'd rather do a 5-gallon batch of low-ABV session beer with the same yeast strain (making a small starter for that beer). When that first one is done, rack to the bottling bucket and pitch the barleywine wort atop the yeast cake.